Firearm



Dec. 7, 1943. D. M. WILLIAMS 2,336,145

FIREARMv Filed Deo. 13, -1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNvENTo dgld M. l hamsATTORNEY 7 mmm vm mm mm wm mm QN mw Il NN. h mm lim Dec. 7, 1943. D. M.WILLIAMS 2,335,146

FIREARM Fied Dec. 13, 1959 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 W93 W94 Z0 ZZ 74 7 5 73 '2074.y 75 7577 634 Z8 wvl.;

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ao 66 H INVENTOR MM ATTORNEY x objectionable.

`previously been necessary to design the gun to Patented Dec. 7, 1943Application December 13, 1939, Serial No. 308,929

Claims.

This invention relates to rearms and particularly those of the typewherein the energy of the explosion of cartridges of varying lengths orenergy and power is used to perform the operations incident to reloadingthe rearm in preparation for the next shot. A

The conventional type ofiirearm employs a chamber carried in fixedrelationship to the barrel. In Patent No. 2,090,656 issued August 24,1937, a movable vibrator is shown which is used to initiate theoperations in an autoloading iirearm wherein the energy of the recoilingparts after movement by explosion of the cartridge is imparted tosprings which serve to close the bolt at the appropriate time. It isapparent that the inertia of the parts and the strength of the springsmust be such that the explosion of the cartridge will perform thedesired functions. If the cartridge is of the low power type, thesprings must be light and/or the weight of the moving parts less. In theevent the gun is designed for a higherpower cartridge, the springs andinertia of the moving parts must be made to t correspondingly. In thelatter case, if they be made too light, thebreech may open too soon orit will be necessary to absorb the energyin some manner at the end oftheir stroke, which is usually It is seen therefore that it hascorrespond to the power of the cartridge to be used therewith.

This is a disadvantage when it is desired to use the same gun forcartridges of varying powers and/or energy. An example of this may becited in the .22 caliber rimre type wherein cartridges of Varyinglengths and corresponding powers are used, known commonly as the short,long rie, and extra long. The short is usually a low power cartridge anddoes not in general have sufficient energy to operate a gun designed fora long rifle. It is to be distinctly understood that the reference to.22 caliber rimfire cartridges is merely by way of example and is notlimited thereto and may be applied to any caliber and type of cartridgeor shot shell. The length of the shells` may also be made such as toobtain universal operation in a single gun by a predetermined variationthereof in accordance with the power. A

` It is to be understood that the invention may be applied to any typeof rearm including, for example, ries, Shotguns, machine guns, handguns, etc., these being merely illustrative.

In an autoloading rearm of the type wherein a single shot is to be firedat a. time, it is desired that positive means be provided to preventmore than one shot to be red -at a single pull of the trigger. l

It is also important and desirable that the firearm be so designed andconstructed as to be easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled andsimple to take apart'and reassemble.

These and other objects will appear in the following description anddrawings which are merely illustrative.

In the drawings:

' Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation with the action open and acartridge ready to be carried into the chamber by the boltV on theclosing motion thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation with the action closed,along cartridge being shown in the chamber.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a short shell in thechamber immediately after it has been fired, the vactuatorin thisinstance being at the limit of its relative motion.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 withV the exceptionl that a long shell isshown in the chamber.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken at line 5 -5 of Fig. 1. j

Fig. 6 is a.' cross lsectional view taken atr line 6--6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken at line l--l of Fig. l, showingthe bolt handle fastening means.

Fig. 8 is a vertical side view of the actuator.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the actuator.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of -`the bolt showing acartridge case engaged by the extractors. l

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View looking in the direction indicated by lineIl-Ii of Fig. 6, showing the means for releasably holding the actuatorin position.

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary view of a modication of a trigger-connection.

The invention in general provides a means for using the same gun to fireeither short or long shells or shells of varying energy, the shortcartridges generally being less powerful and therefore not capable ofdeliveringsuincient energy to the bolt or other working parts of a gunto properly actuate the same when the springs and parts are designed foroperation with the long or more powerful cartridges. For purposes ofillustration, for example, the conventional .22

caliber cartridges will he referred to, which may be obtainedcommercially in either the long cartridge or the short cartridge. It isto be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to .22caliber nor to the specific lengths indicated, but may be applied todiierent calibers and different lengths of cartridges.

An actuator, which may be supported in an enlarged bore or othersuitable means at the breech end of the barrel, is provided in which thecartridges are chambered and which is allowed to have a limited relativemovement to the barrel. The actuator is made of such a length that longcartridges having suilicient power to operate the springs oi therecoiling mechanism and overcome the inertia of the parts, have caseslonger than the chamber of the actuator plus the relative movementthereof, so that a gas contact area at the forward end of the actuatoris prevented from having access to the powder gases. The actuator isalso made of such a length that the short cartridges or the cartridgesthat, due to their decreased charge, do not provide suillcierit energyupon firing to operate the springs and overcome the inertia, will havethis energy supplemented by the powder gases acting upon the forwardface of the actuator upon firing of the cartridge, the cartridge casebeing of such a length to allow said access.

As has been stated, one form of the invention will be described asapplied to the conventional .22 caliber short and long cartridges,although it is distinctly understood not to be limited thereto. ing athreaded engagement 2| with the receiver 22, in which the bolt 23 isslidngly mounted. The bolt 23 is provided with extractors 24 and 24A(Fig. on either side of the bolt which are pivoted near 25' and springpressed into engagement with the head of the cartridge by the springs 26located in apertures 21 in the bolt. In the example shown, theextractors serve as trunnions, although it is to be understood thatseparate pivot pins may be used. The spring plungers 83 have enlargedheads 84 that are slidably mounted in apertures 21 and serve to transmitthe spring pressure to the extractors and at the same time hold theextractors in place. A striker 28 (Figs. 1 and 2) is carried in asuitable aperture in the bolt 23, said striker having a head 29 that isengaged by the striker spring guide means 30. A striker spring 3| actingupon the head 30 of the guide means urges the striker to firingposition, the opposite end of said spring abutting end 32 of the tubularguide means 35 located in the plug 33. The plug 33 may be removablyconnected by means of screw threads 34 to the receiver 22. The tubularguide means 35 is mounted in the plug 33 so that it may have a loosemovement to properly allow for alignment thereof with the bore 36 of thebolt 23 and the other parts cooperating therewith. A bushing 33A may beplaced inside of plug 33 if desired, which may be of metal or ber. Arecoil spring 31, located on the outside of the guide means 3,5,surrounds the tubular guide means 35 and one end thereof has abuttingengagement with the interior of the plug 33 as at 38 and the other endwith the bolt at shoulder 39. The striker spring is located between theshank of the striker spring guide means 30 and the interior bore of thetubular guide means 3'5. In this manner, the springs are properly guidedand conned in their motion.

In Fig. 1, the usual barrel 20 is shown hav-- Trigger and Sear Thestriker 28 is provided with a suitable sear notch 40 which is adapted toengage the pivoted sear 4|, said sear being pivoted on pin 42. The sear4| has a spring 43 serving to rotate the sear to effective positionholding the sear, said spring abutting the receiver at 44. Theprojection 41 of sear 4| is suitable for engagement with the notch 48 ofthe pivoted lever 49, said lever being pivoted as at 50 on the trigger5I, a spring 52 serving to rotate the lever 49 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1, the lever 49 is shownas it has been rotated in a clockwise direction by retraction of thebolt 23. The notch 48 has converging upper and lower walls so that asprojection 41 is moved therein there will be no play between theseparts.

In Fig. 2, the' projection 41 is shown engaged in the notch 48 of thelever49, and the sear notch 40 engaged by the sear in cocked position,such that a pull upon the trigger will cause the pivoted lever 49 to bepulled downwardly, thereby rotating the sear 4| in a clockwise directionto disengage it from the notch 40 of the striker-28, thereby allowingthe cocked striker spring to move the striker to fired position. Thetrigger spring 53 is carried in a suitable aperture 54 in the trigger.

Assuming that the parts are in the cocked position with the actionclosed, as shown in Fig. 2, a pull on the trigger 5| will rotate thetrigger about its pivot 45, which will move lever 49 downwardly, therebyrotating sear 4| in a Yclockwise direction and disengaging it from thesear notch 40. Such disengagement allows the cocked striker spring 3| tomove the striker to the fired position whereby the point thereof engagesthe cartridge in the chamber. Backward or retracting movement of thebolt 23 engages the tip 55 of the lever 49. rotating ,it in a clockwisedirection, and disengaging the projection 41 of sear 4| from the notch48 of the lever 49. This allows the sear spring 43 to rotate the sear 4|in a counterclockwise direction or to urge it to the eiective positionso that, as the bolt goes forward to its closed position again, the searnotch 40 will engage the sear 4 I As the bolt goes forward, the spring52 will cause the lever 49 to rotate in a counterclockwise directionuntil it again assumes the position in Fig. 2. However, it can be seen,that if pressure has still been maintained on the trigger 5| that thelever 49 will be in a downward or pulled position and the notch 48 willnot then register with the projection 41 of the sear 4| so thatengagement will not take place, and therefore the weapon will not re asecond time. Enga'gement of the notch 48 with the portion 41 will notthen occur until the pressure on the trigger 5| is released, which willthen allow the spring 53 to rotate the trigger 5| so that the notch 48will again be aligned with the projection 41 of the sear and the spring52 will complete the engagement thereof, and as the projection 41 of thesear moves into the converging notch 48, all the play will be removedfrom the connection and the action of the trigger will be directlytransmitted to the sear without slack. It can be seen that he pulling ofthe trigger and maintaining it in the pulled or red position will pullthe lever 49 downwardly so as ,-.to disturb the alignment of notch 48with projection 41 of the sear after the sear has been released by thetrigger through lever 49, thus making it necessary to release thetrigger to fire each shot. The use of the con.-

verging walls, parts or similar means to take the play out of thetriggermechanism train may also be applied to other portions of the connectionand to other kinds of trigger connections. A modification of this'isshown in Fig. 12, wherein |04 maybe a trigger pivoted at |05 and havinga connecting link |06 which may operate the sear. A converging wallaperture |01 is placed in the arm of trigger |04 and a pin |08 ismounted on link |06 which cooperates with the aperture |01. A springandplunger assembly |09 serves to rotate link |06. This also pushes thelink to the left, forcing pin |08 into the converging wall portions inthe direction of convergence of aperture |01, so that the play orslack'is removed from the .trigger mechanism train. It is evident that aconnection such as this may be used inother portions of the triggertrain and is not limited to that shown. It is also evident that theaperture or recess may have straight walls and the part cooperatingtherewith have diverging walls to take up the slack.

Actuator In the conventional gun, the cartridge chamber is a xed portionof the barrel or an exsion thereof. In a gun of the type disclosed inPatent No. 2,090,656, a vibrator is employed to provide the initialmovement of the recoiling parts as the cartridge is fired. In thepresent invention, a chambered actuator 56 is employed whichy may belocated in an enlarged bore 51 of the barrel 20.l This bore is notnecessarily part of the barrel itself, but may be in an extensionthereof; The actuator 56 has an internal bore 58 which serves as achamber or a portion of the chamber into which the cartridge isinserted. In Figs. 8 and 9 may be seen detailed views of the actuatorper se, having an enlarged portion 59 and a smaller portion 60 whichslidingly fits the enlarged bore 51 of the barrel. Ears 6| and 62 areprovided to guide and limit the motion of the actuator and to hold thesame in position.

In the example shown, apertures 63 and 64 are provided in the-top andthe bottom of the receiver 22 into which the ears 6| and 62 are adapt-led to fit. The apertures 63 and 64 are joined to the openings 65 and 66in the receiver by means of longitudinal slots 61 and 68, so that theactuator ears 6| and 62 may be passed through the slots 61 and 68 andthen the actuator rotated so that it will be held in the openings 63 and64 and the motion rearwardly limited by the rear faces of theseopenings, such as by face 69 of opening 64 (Fig. 11). The actuator, whenin the assembled position, may be held in place by means of the springengaging means 10 located in a slot.1| of the receiver 22, said meansbeing held in place, forexample, by closing in the edges of the slot 1|as at 12. 62A therein which is engaged by the end of the spring engagingmeans 10 preventing the actuator from being rotated when it is in itsoperative position, thereby preventing rearward movement of the ears 6|and 62 through the slots 61 and 68 until the spring 10 is disengaged andthe actuator rotated for disassembly purposes. The movement forward ofthe actuator 56 is limited by the length of the enlarged bore 51, thelength being correlated with the portion 60 of the actuator 56 so thatthere is no space between the forward face 13 (Figs. 3cand 4) of theactuator and the end 14 of the enlarged bore 51. The rear faces of theopenings 63 and 64 are so correlated with the ears 6| and 62 of theactuator as to al- The ear 62 of the actuator 56 has a slot low therearward motion of the actuator 56 as the cartridge is fired to givethe' desired opening 15 between the forward face or gas contact area 13of the actuator and the end 14 of the enlarged bore 51, for the purposeswhich will appear presently.

There are recesses. 50A cut into each side of `the enlarged cylindricalportion 59 -into which the ends of the extractors 24 and 24A are adaptedto t. In Fig.`2 the actuator is shown held in its forward position bythe bolt 23, there being a cartridge in the chamber 58. It is evidentthat the pressure of the bolt need not be exerted directly against theactuator when in the closed position. The cartridge shown in Fig. 2 isof the longer type which extends into the chamber 16 of the barrel,covering the joint 13, 1 4, 15 (Fig. 2) between the actuator 56 and thebarrel 20.

In Fig. 4, the long cartridge (of Fig. 2) has just been fired and theprojectile is some place within the b ore or has just left the muzzle ofthe gun.

. The actuator 56 has moved to the rearward limit of its motion underthe inuence of the recoil energy of the cartridge, the motion beinglimited by contact of rear faces of the ears 6| and 62 of the actuatorwith the cooperating faces of the openings 63-and 64 in the receiver.The cartridge case' when fired vexpands and tightly grips the walls ofthe chambered actuator so that force is exerted rearwardly thereon,thereby moving the actuator to the rear under the force of the gases inthe barrel. The portion of the case within the barrel slides therein.The bolt 23 has had its recoiling action initiated, starting to compressthe recoil spring 31. It is noted that the cartridge powder case 11still bridges the joint 13, 14, 15 between barrel 20 and actuator 56, sothat the powder gases are sealed from said joint and do not affect thegas contact area and thereby the action of the actuator 56.

In Fig. 3 a powder case of a cartridge that is shorter than the chamberis depicted just after having been red, the actuator 56 v having beenmoved to the rearward limit of its position. It is to be noted that, asthe short cartridge case 18 is shorter than the chamber 58 of theactuator, that the joint between the barrel 20 and the actuator 56, asseen in Fig. 3, will be subjected to the force of powder gases movingthe projectile through the barrel. For this reason, therefore, the gascontact area of face 13 (Fig. 3) of the actuator 56 is affected by thepressure of the powder gases which, in conjunction with the recoilenergy, moves the actuator backwardly, thereby initiating the movementof the recoiling parts. It can be seen that the gas area of face 13 ofthe actuator is of such proportions that considerable force will betransmitted to the actuator by the pressure of the powder gases. It isevident that the shorter cartridge, with less powder or a less powerfulcharge therein and which would have insuflicient energy to operate thespring and overcome the inertia of the recoiling parts, is assisted inthe recoiling action by the pressure of the powder gases upon the gascontact area of face 13, providing the cartridge case is made of suchv alength that the gases will have access to this area. It is evident thatthe portion 60 of the actuator 56 may be varied in size, which willchange the area of the gas contact face, this being done in accordancewith the cartridge to be used therewith. In this manner, the actuatormay be so designed as to give the desiredbreech opening force withcartridges of very low power. By thus increasing the area of the gascontact face, it is possible i to obtain a breech opening force with theshorter low power cartridge that will exceed that of a much higher powerlong cartridge, which powder case breaches the gap and prevents accessof the powder gases tor the gas contact face. The length of thecartridge may be made of any suitable or desired amount, depending uponthe power necessary to operate the parts, and it is not essential thatit necessarily be shorter than the chamber of the actuator but merelythat it be of such a length that access be given to the gas contact areaon face 13. A powder case that is longer than the chamber of theactuator, but still gives access to the gas contact area, is shown inFig. 4 of Patent No. 2,027,892. It can be seen that the powder caseitself may project beyond the face of the actuator and still allowaccess to l the gas contact face. In the case of .22 caliber cartridgesor low power cartridges, the crimp will not be expanded outwardly andtherefore will not seal the gas contact face from the action of thepowder gases. When it is desired to use a long cartridge having sucientpower to actuate the recoiling parts and compress the necessaryoperating springs without the aid of the gas contact area, a cartridgeis used such as seen in Fig. 2, which bridges the gap betweentheractuator and the barrel at all times and particularly after theactuator has completed its limited relative movement. It is to beunderstood therefore that the meaning of the words actuator beingshorter than the powder case of the longest cartridge mean a powder casesuiciently long to bridge the gap at all times and substantially sealthe gas contact area of face 13 of the actuator 56 against the action ofthe powder gases. It is evident that control of the action of the gaspressure on the gas contact area can be regulated by the length of thecartridge cases.

Eiector An ejector 19 (Fig. 1, 2 and 5) is provided which may befastened to the receiver by means of screw 89, the same screw holdingthe guard 8| and magazine spring retaining latch 82 in place. Theextractors 24 and 24A hold the cartridge case againstthe face of thebolt, as seen in Fig. 10. The left hand extractor 24 may have aninclined face gripping the rim of the case and the right hand extractor24A a square face. As the bolt moves backward, the ejector 19 willcontact the case and the sloping face of the extractor 24 will releasethe case therefrom, the spring 26 yielding, and as the extractor 24Awill maintain its hold on the rim due to the square surface thereof, theempty case will pivot about 24A and be thrown out of the ejectionopening 85.

Cartridge feeding means For purposes of illustration, a box magazinefeeding means is shown of conventional type, although it is to beunderstood that other feeding means may be used such as a tubularfeeding means. The box magazine 85 i'lts into a suitable aperture 86 inthe rearm, being guided into place by the guide means 81 and springlatch 82, said latch having engaging means 88 that fit into suitablenotches in the edge of the box magazine, these features beingconventional. A follower 89 and follower spring 98 serve to feed thecartridges upwardly against the turned-in ears 9| of the cartridgeretainer 92, such that the rim 93 will be retained therein until thebolt 23 in its closing movement carried the rim 93 of the cartridgeforward until said rim comes opposite the slots 94 in the cartridgeretainer,

at which time the follower spring will push the cartridge up so that thebolt will move the cartridge into position in the chamber 58.

Bolt handle The bolt handle is carried in an aperture 96 in the bolt 23(Fig. 7). A notch 91 in said bolt handle 95 cooperates with the striker28 to hold said handle in position. In order to remove the handle, thestriker 28 is removed from the bolt, whereupon it is disengaged from thenotch 91 of the bolt handle 95 and the handle may be withdrawn.

Stock assembly The forward end of the stock and receiver assembly isheld in position by screw thread means 98 engaging the lug 9'9 which maybe fastened to the barrel or the forward end of the receiver. The rearend of the receiver may be held in position by engagement of the screwthread means |88 with the notch lill in the plug 33. It is evident thatthe screw thread means serves as an adjustment for the elevation orpositioning of the receiver relative to the stock |02.

Summary of operation Assuming that the gun is in the position shown inFig. 2 with the action closed and the cartridge within the chamber,release 0f the scar 4| by operation of the trigger 5|, such releasetaking place through the lever 49, notch 48, projection 81, will allowthe striker spring 3| to force the striker forward and re the cartridge.Assuming further that a long cartridge is in the chamber havingsufficient power to operate the parts satisfactorily, the explosion ofthe cartridge will force the actuator and bolt from the position in Fig.21 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the cartridge case being carriedtherewith and the gas Contact area remaining sealed. The bolt 23, whichis held against the actuator 56, is carried rearwardly therewith and hasits recoil motion initiated thereby. The actuator is limited in itsrearward movement by contact with the rear faces such as 69 of the slots63 and 84. The bolt continues in its rearward movement, compressing therecoil spring 31, the recoil spring being so designed that the bolt isstopped approximately just before it reaches the bushing 33A, or, if itdoes contact the same, to hit the same with but little force, the energyof the recoiling bolt having been practically al1 absorbed in thecompressionof the spring together with the compression of the strikerspring 3|. The rearward movement of the bolt carries the striker 28therewith, carrying the striker spring guide 38 rearwardly, therebycompressing the spring 3| and moving the striker far enough to the rearso that on the return motion the notch 40 will engage the sear 4| whichhas been released from engagement with lever 49 and carried to effectiveposition by spring 43. The lever 49 has been rotated about its pivot 89by the recoil of the bolt, thereby disconnecting the notch 48 from theprojection 41.

During the recoiling movement of the bolt, the cartridge case 11 isgripped by the extractor 24 and 24a on either side, which hook over therim of the case in the conventional manner, carrying the cartridgerearwardly, and is ejected by contact with the ejector 19.

'Ihe recoil spring having been compressed and the bolt having reachedthe end-of its travel, the energy stored in the recoil spring starts thebolt forward to closed position, and in this movement carries the freshcartridge into the chamtion. The new cartridges contained in themagazine are moved upwardly by the follower `89 under the urgence offollower.spring"90, and held in position by meansi'bf the co-action ofrim 93 (Fig. l) of the new cartridge with the inturned lips of theretainer.- Forward motion of the bolt 23 will engage rim 93, moving thenew cartridge forwardly, and when rim 93 is opposite the slot 94 of theretainer, the spring and follower will move the new cartridge above theretainer and into alignment with the chamber, the bolt then in itscontinued closing motion carrying the cartridge into the chamber. Theforward movement of the bolt allows the lever 49 to be ro tated in acounterclockwise direction so that when the trigger is released thenotch 48 will be aligned with the projection 41 of the sear and placethe gun in'readiness for the'next shot to be fired upon again pullingthe trigger. In the event that a short cartridge is used, such as inFig. 3, the same sequence of operations follows with the exception thatthe gas contact face 'I3 of the actuator 56 is uncovered so'that the gaspressure thereon as sists in the recoiling action of the actuator andthe recoiling parts to insure that with the same breech bolt andrecoiling springs and parts.- complete autoloading function of theweapon will be carried out.

It is apparent that the invention is not limited to the use in ashoulder rifle as shown, but may be used -in any type of rearm, such asa hand weapon -or a machine gun. It is seen by this invention that it ispossible to use cartridges of varying lengths, powers and energy in asingle autoloading firearm without adjustment or changing parts, whichhas not previously been feasible. A gun which is easy to manufacture andassemble and which has an improved trigger mechanism has been provided.The embodiments of the inventiof as herein described are to beunderstood as typical and illustrative only, said invention beingsusceptible to the embodiments in many forms. all falling within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An autoloading rearm for indiscriminately firing standard long highenergy cartridges and standard short low energy cartridges, including abarrel; a receiver secured to said barrel; a beech-bolt arranged forreciprocation in said receiver; a cartridge magazine; transfer meansoperable by movement of said breech bolt for transferring cartridgesfrom said magazine to a cartridge loading position; a chambered actuatorinterposed between lsaid barrel and breech bolt and adapted to transmit'energy therebetween, said chambered actuator being arranged to' holdcartridges and being reciprocable relative to said barrel, saidchambered actuator having a forwardly facing gas contact area, thelength of said chambered actuator being such that the case of a longcartridge of high energy extends forward therefrom vand into said barrelfar enough to effectively prevent admission of gas to said gas contactarea, the length of the chambered actuator being not substantiallylonger than the case of a short cartridge of low energy so as to4provide for the -admission of gas to said contact area to assist in therearward movement of said chambered actuator; and a spring forpropelling said breech block to breech closing position, said spring andbreech block mass being selected and designed to receive through thechambered actuator the energy and velocity required for correctfunctioning when a long high energy cartridge Visiired and having toogreat an effective """inertia for actuation by a short low energycartridge without assistance of combustion gases acting on saidgascontact area.

2. An autoloading firearm for indiscriminately firing standard long highenergy cartridges and standard short 10W energy cartridges, including abarrel; a receiver secured to said bar rel; a, breech bolt arranged forreciprocation in said receiver; a cartridge magazine; transferr meansoperable by movement of said breech bolt for transferring cartridgesfrom said magazine to a cartridge loading position; a chambered actuatorinterposed between said barrel and breech bolt and adapted to transmitenergy therebetween, said chambered actuator being arranged forwardtherefrom and into said barrel far enough to effectively preventadmission of gas to said gas contact area, the length of the chamberedactuator being slightly less than the case of a. short cartridge of lowenergy so as to provide for the admission of gas to said contact area toassist in the rearward movement of said chambered actuator; and a springfor propelling said breech block to breech closing position, said springand breech block mass being selected and designed to receive through thechambered actuator the energy and velocity requred for correctfunctioning when a long high energy cartridge is flred and having toogreat an effectivel inertia for actuation by a short low energycartridge without assistance of combustion gases acting on said gascontact area.

3. An autoloading firearm for indiscriminately firing standard long highenergy cartridges and Y standard short low energy cartridges, includinga barrel; a receiver secured to said barrel; a breech bolt arranged forreciprocation in said receiver; a cartridge magazine; transfer meansoperable by movement of said breech bolt for transferring cartridgesfrom said magazine to a cartridge loadng position; a chambered actuatorin which cartridges are adapted to be held, said actuator beingreciprocable relative to said barrel and being interposed between saidbarrel and breech bolt, said breech bolti operatively engaging saidactuator when in a closed position,

said chambered actuator being adapted to transmit energy to said breechbolt and having a forwardly facing gas contact area, the length of saidchambered actuator being such that the case of a long cartridge of highenergy extends forward therefrom and into said barrel far enough toeffectively prevent admission of gas to said gas contact area, thelength of the chambered actuator being not substantially longer than thecase of a short cartridge of low energy so as to provide for theadmission of gas to said contact area to assist in the rearward movementof said chambered actuator; and a spring for propelling said breechblock to breech closing position, said spring and breech block massbeing selected and designed to receive through the chambered actuatorthe energy and velocity required for correct functioning when a longhigh energy cartridge is red and having too great an effective inertiafor actuation by a short low energy cartridge wit-hout assistance ofcombustion gases acting on said gas contact area.

4. An autoloading rearm for indiscriminately iiring standard long highenergy cartridges and standard short low energy cartridges, including abarrel having an enlarged bore at the breech; a receiver secured to saidbarrel; a breech bolt arranged for reciprocation in said receiver; acartridge magazine; transfer means operable by movement of said breechbolt for transferring cartridges from said magazine to a cartridgeloading position; a chambered actuator in which cartridges are adaptedto be held. said actuator being reciprocable relative to said barrel andslidinglyviitting said enlarged bore in said barrel and being ofsubstantially the same length as the bore when the breech block is in aclosed position, said chambered actuator being interposed between saidbarrel and breech bolt and adapted to transmit energy therebetween, thelength of said chambered actuator being such that the case of a longcartridge of high energy extends for ward therefrom and into said barrelfar enough to effectively prevent admission of gas to said gas contactarea, the chambered actuator being not substantially longer than thecase of a short cartridge of low energi7 so as to provide for theadmission of gas to said contact larea to assist in the rearwardmovement of said chambered actuator; and a spring for propelling saidbreech block to breech closing position, said spring and breech blockmass being selected and designed to receive through the chamberedactuator the energy and velocity required for 'correct functioning whena long high energy cartridge is fired and having too great an effectiveinertia for actuation by a short low energy cartridge without assistanceof combustion gases acting on said gas contact area,

5. An autoloading firearm for indiscriminately firing standard long highenergy cartridges and 'standard short low energy cartridges, including abarrel; a receiver securedto said barrel; a breech bolt arranged forreciprocation in said receiver; a cartridge magazine transfer meansoperable by movement of said breech bolt for transferring cartridgesfrom said magazine to a cartridge loading position; a chamberedactuatorin which cartridges are adapted to be held, said actuator beingreciprocable a predetermined distance relative to said barrel, and beinginterposed between said barrel and breech bolt for transmission ofenergy therebetween, said chambered actuator having a forwardly facinggas contact area, the length of said chambered actuator being such thatthe case of a long cartridge of high energy extends forward therefromand into said barrel far enough to effectively prevent admission of gasto said gas contact area, the chambered actuator being not substantiallylonger than the case of a short cartridge of low energy so as to providefor the admission of gas to said contact area to assist in the rearwardmovement of said' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,556,1ti6.

DAVID M. WILLIAMS.

December 7, 1914.5

It is hereby certified that errorappears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, ondcolumn, line 67, for 9that he" read --that the; umn, line 26-27, for1"exsion" read --extension--g secpage 5, fir-st coland second column,line' 56, after "gas" insert contact; page b., second column, line66,'for "expage 5, first column', line' 5l, claim l, for

"beech" read --breech--g and that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record ofthe case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this Lith day of April, A. D. 19thu (Seal) LeslieFrazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. patent No. 2,556,1LI6. December 7, 19M.

DAVID m. WILLIAMS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, li'ne 67, for "that he" read -l-that the page 5, firstcolumn, Aline 26-27, for "exsion" read --extension; and second column,lineA 56, after "gas" insert --contact; page h., second column, line66,for "extractor" reed extractors; page 5, first column, line' 5l,claim l; for beech read breech; and that thesaid Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this Ith day of April, A. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Petents.

